Patnitala Upazila (Bangla: পত্নীতলা উপজেলা) also known as Potnitola is an upazila (sub-district) of Naogaon district within the Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh. While the name of the upazila is Patnitala, it is located in Nazipur (নজিপুর) town and is 39 km west of the zero point of Naogaon district town, according to Google Maps. Patnitala is positioned between latitudes 24.58°N to 25.08°N and longitudes 88.42°E to 88.52°E.
Patnitala upazila has an area of 382.39 sq km and bordered by Dhamoirhat Upazila and the Indian border. Mohadevpur Upazila on the south, while Badalgachhi Upazila is to the east, and Sapahar Upazila is to the west. The Atrai River flows through Patnitala Upazila and the Little Jamuna River runs along its eastern side. Patnitala Upazila has 14.01 sq km of reserve forest.
History of Patnitala Upazila
Patnitala Upazila was established as a thana (police station) in 1807. At that time, it was part of West Dinajpur district of undivided India. Around 1911–1912, the northeastern part of Patnitala Thana was used to create Dhamoirhat Thana, which is now an upazila in the Naogaon district.
After the partition of India in 1947, Patnitala Thana became part of the Bogura district. Then in 1949, it was integrated into Naogaon mahakuma of the greater Rajshahi district. Finally, as part of administrative decentralization in 1983, Patnitala Thana was upgraded to an upazila (sub-district) and became one of the 11 upazilas of the Naogaon district.
Map of Patnitala upazila, Naogaon
Administration
Here’s a breakdown of Patnitala Upazila’s administrative divisions:
Electoral Area: 47, Naogaon-2 (Patnitala and Dhamoirhat Upazila)
A scenic road dividing Patnitala and Dhamoirhat Upazila — 2024
Ambati Bazaar in Patnitala, 2024.
Population
Here is the population scenario of Patnitala Upazila, based on the 2022 National Census:
Total population: 250,729
Gender ratio: 99.36
Households: 69,228
Average household size: 3.58
Widowed and Divorced/Separated Population (2011 Census)
Widowed
Male: 0.9%
Female: 10.9%
Divorced/Separated
Male: 0.2%
Female: 1.2%
Population by Type of Disability
As of the 2022 census, here is the disability-wise population of Patnitala Upazila, including gender-specific data.
Disability Type
Total
Male
Female
Autism
119
78
41
Physical Disability
1,700
1,061
639
Mental Illness
410
234
176
Visual Disability
464
268
196
Speech Disability
354
191
163
Intellectual Disability
211
131
80
Hearing Disability
222
116
106
Deaf Blindness
23
13
10
Cerebral Palsy
46
25
21
Down Syndrome
31
18
13
Multiple Disabilities
399
219
180
Other Disability
330
174
156
Patnitala (total)
4,309
2,528
1,781
Population by Religion
Religion
Population
Percentage
Total Population
250,729
100.00%
Muslim
197,687
78.84%
Hindu
44,686
17.82%
Christian
5,229
2.09%
Buddhist
18
0.01%
Others
3,109
1.24%
Total
250,729
100.00%
The majority population is Muslim (78.84%), followed by Hindus (17.82%). Christians represent 2.09%, while Buddhists and “Others” together make up just over 1%.
Education
Historical Literacy Rates (1981–2022)
Census Year
Literacy Rate
1981
28.0%
1991
32.0%
2001
49.8%
2011
52.5%
2022
76.18%
This table shows continuous improvement in literacy across Patnitala Upazila, reaching a significant 76.18% in 2022.
Nazipur Government College in 2024.
Nazipur Girls High School, 2024.
Nazipur Mohila College, 2024.
Educational Institutions in Patnitala
Government Primary Schools: 82
Private Primary Schools: 41
Community Primary Schools: 6
Junior High Schools: 6
Colleges (Co-ed): 3
Colleges (Girls): 1
Technical Colleges: 4
Dakhil Madrasa: 28
Alim Madrasa: 2
Fazil Madrasa: 7
Government Primary Education (2011)
Government primary schools: 82
Total teachers: 403
Male: 189
Female: 214
Total students: 13,356
Male: 6,545
Female: 6,811
Students per teacher: 33
50-bedded Upazila Health Complex, 2024.
Patnitala Roads & Highways Department, 2024.
Health Centres in Patnitala Upazila
Government Upazila Health Complex: 1
Non-Government Hospital/Clinic/Nursing Home: 11
Diagnostic Centers: 6
Missionary/Charitable Hospital: 1
Union Health Centres: 6
References and Footnotes
Population & Housing Census 2022 — Naogaon District Report
Population & Housing Census 2022 — Naogaon District Report
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naogaon
Beautiful Naogaon zilla...